Friday, May 31, 2002

The United States Department of State issues a travel warning advising all Americans except for essential diplomatic personnel (about 60,000 people) to leave India because conditions along India's border with Pakistan and in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have deteriorated.

Iraq disarmament crisis: Iraqi military escorts on board an UNSCOM helicopter try to physically prevent the UNSCOM pilot from flying the helicopter in the direction of its planned destination, threatening the safety of the aircraft and their crews.

Friday, May 31, 1996

June ndash Iraq disarmament crisis: As Iraq continues to refuse inspectors access to a number of sites, the U.S. fails in its attempt to build support for military action against Iraq in the UN Security Council.

FIFA decides to give the FIFA World Cup 2002, the first World Cup in Asia, to Japan and South Korea, becoming the first World Cup with co-host countries in the history of the event.

Thursday, May 31, 1900

Wednesday, May 31, 1899

Sunday, May 31, 1891

.S. (May 19 O.S.) ndash In the Kuperovskaya district of Vladivostok, a grand ceremonial inauguration of construction work on the Trans-Siberian Railway is carried out by the Tsesarevich Nikolay Alexandrovich and a religious service held.

Saturday, May 31, 1890

Sunday, May 31, 1863

Tuesday, May 31, 1859

The Great Clock at the Palace of Westminster, London was started, and its bells ring for the very first time.

Friday, May 31, 1793

Regular troops under François Hanriot demand that the Girondins be expelled from the national convention.

June ndash The Macartney Embassy, a British diplomatic mission to China led by George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney, reaches Canton, but will be rebuffed by the Qianlong Emperor.ref name=The People's Chronology{{cite book|chapter=1793|title=The People's Chronology|editor=Everett, Jason M.|publisher=Thomson Gale|year=2006}}

Tuesday, May 31, 1740

Frederick II comes to power in Prussia upon the death of his father, Frederick William I.

Saturday, May 31, 1727

The Royal Bank of Scotland is founded by Royal Charter in Edinburgh.ref name=The People's Chronology{{cite book|chapter=1727|title=The People's Chronology|editor=Everett, Jason M.|publisher=Thomson Gale|year=2006}}